Trump Orders Aggressive Return of Death Penalty as US Restores Firing Squad, Lethal Injection

The United States Department of Justice has announced a sweeping return to aggressive enforcement of capital punishment, including the reintroduction of firing squads and lethal injection, in a major policy shift under Donald Trump.

In a statement released Friday, the department said it is restoring its mandate to carry out lawful executions of federal death row inmates who have exhausted their appeals. The directive follows an executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office, instructing the Justice Department to prioritise the pursuit and enforcement of death sentences in appropriate cases.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche criticised the previous administration under Joe Biden, accusing it of failing to fully enforce capital punishment. He said the renewed approach is aimed at ensuring justice for victims of violent crimes, including terrorism, child killings, and attacks on law enforcement officers.

The policy marks a direct reversal of the federal execution moratorium introduced by former Attorney General Merrick Garland, which had paused executions pending a review of lethal injection protocols, particularly the use of pentobarbital.

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According to the Justice Department, that review has now concluded that the drug complies with the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. The department’s newly released report, “Restoring and Strengthening the Federal Death Penalty,” supports the resumption of executions under updated guidelines.

As part of the overhaul, federal prosecutors have been authorised to seek the death penalty in at least 44 cases, with Blanche personally approving capital punishment in nine, including cases involving alleged members of the MS-13 gang accused of killing a federal witness.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has also been directed to reinstate lethal injection protocols, expand execution methods to include firing squads, and explore the construction of new execution facilities capable of handling multiple methods.

Officials further revealed plans to streamline internal legal processes, including reforms to federal habeas corpus procedures, in a bid to reduce delays between conviction and execution—an issue that has long characterised the US capital punishment system.

The announcement also revisits controversial decisions made during the Biden era, including the commutation of sentences for 37 out of 40 federal death row inmates. The current Justice Department criticised that move, arguing it was carried out without sufficient consultation with victims’ families.

The policy shift is expected to reignite intense national debate over death penalty laws in the United States, with critics raising concerns about wrongful convictions, racial disparities, and the ethical implications of state-sanctioned executions. Human rights organisations have also questioned the reintroduction of firing squads, describing it as a regressive step.

Supporters, however, argue that the move reinforces accountability and ensures that the most serious crimes are met with the strongest legal consequences.

With executions now set to resume under expanded methods, the United States once again finds itself at the center of a deeply divisive debate over justice, punishment, and constitutional rights.

US Resumes Executions as Trump Reintroduces Firing Squad Option

US Offers $10M Reward for Iraqi Militia Leader Linked to Attacks

The United States State Department has announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture or identification of a senior Iraqi militia leader accused of involvement in attacks on American and allied targets in the Middle East.

The reward targets Hashim Finyan Rahim al-Saraji, who is identified as the leader of the Iran-backed armed group Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), which Washington designates as a terrorist organisation.

The announcement was made through the U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme, which stated that individuals who provide credible information on al-Saraji’s whereabouts may also be eligible for relocation assistance in addition to the financial reward.

U.S. authorities say the group has carried out attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq, including sites in Baghdad, as well as strikes on American military bases and personnel in both Iraq and Syria. Washington also accuses KSS of involvement in violence against Iraqi civilians, describing it as part of a wider network of Iran-aligned militias operating across Iraq and the region.

Al-Saraji is also linked to Iraq’s powerful Coordination Framework, a Shiite political alliance that holds significant influence in the country’s parliamentary system.

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The reward forms part of a broader U.S. strategy of increasing pressure on Iran-backed militias in Iraq, which Washington says continue to destabilise the country and threaten regional security. In recent months, the United States has urged Baghdad to tighten financial controls, restrict militia funding, and improve oversight of security-related spending.

The move follows similar action earlier this month when Washington offered a reward for a commander linked to Kataib Hezbollah, another Iran-aligned armed group operating in Iraq.

Iraq remains a key flashpoint in wider U.S.–Iran tensions, with multiple armed groups operating alongside official state security forces. Although the country has seen relative stability in recent years, the continued presence of powerful militias outside full government control remains a major security and governance challenge.

These armed groups have previously been accused of targeting the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, the diplomatic zone at Baghdad International Airport, and foreign-owned energy installations in Iraq.

There has been no immediate response from KSS or Iraqi authorities regarding the U.S. announcement. However, similar reward offers and sanctions measures have previously been criticised by militia-linked political actors in Iraq, who often describe them as interference in domestic affairs.

Analysts say the latest move reflects Washington’s broader approach of combining financial incentives, intelligence gathering, and sanctions pressure to disrupt militia networks across the Middle East.

US Offers $10M Reward for Iraqi Militia Leader Linked to Attacks

No Nuclear Strike on Iran, Trump Reaffirms US Military Strategy

US President Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of a nuclear strike on Iran, insisting that the United States has no need to consider nuclear weapons in its approach to the ongoing tensions with Tehran.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the U.S. has already achieved significant results using conventional military capability, arguing that there is no justification for escalating to nuclear warfare.

“Why would I use a nuclear weapon when we’ve totally, in a very conventional way, decimated them without it?” he said, while stressing that nuclear weapons should never be used under any circumstances.

The remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tension in the Middle East, where the United States continues to maintain pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme, regional influence, and security concerns.

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Trump reiterated that his administration’s strategy focuses on conventional deterrence, military readiness, and diplomatic pressure, rather than nuclear escalation.

He also emphasised that nuclear weapons remain a last-resort option that should never be part of active military planning, regardless of the level of conflict.

The comments reflect ongoing U.S. efforts to manage the volatile U.S.–Iran relations, which have been marked by sanctions, military posturing, and intermittent diplomatic engagement.

Washington has continued to monitor Iran’s activities closely, particularly in relation to its nuclear capabilities and regional military operations, while maintaining a mix of pressure and negotiation channels.

Analysts say Trump’s statement is aimed at reassuring both domestic and international audiences that the United States is not considering any form of nuclear escalation, even as tensions persist in the region.

The U.S. position underscores a broader strategy of relying on conventional military strength and diplomatic leverage to contain threats while avoiding actions that could trigger catastrophic global consequences.

No Nuclear Strike on Iran, Trump Reaffirms US Military Strategy